RE: Battery set-up
2200 MaH Ni-Cads? What is it a 4 cell sub-C pack?You could save a ton of weight either using NiMh or, preferably, a A123 pack. Syssa makes a BEC (battery eliminator circuit) that does just what you describe but in a safe manner. It uses the receiver batttery for the ignition but isolates and protects the receiver from ignition interference.